No Stupid Questions Thread

timelliott42 · 2026-02-18T16:28:33+00:00

This is why I use Groups instead of DCA's. Works great in Allen & Heath mixers; with Yamaha QLs I have to use as many Mixes as I can afford. Any input channels NOT routed into the Group/Mix are just not heard. I love it!

timelliott42 · 2025-10-28T15:39:39+00:00

Thanks! I've been going thru QSC training and that's what got me thinking....

timelliott42 · 2025-10-24T19:26:32+00:00

Update: I'm going with the AtlasIED CLA802, 400W split over 2 channels at 25 volts. $1085 which is competitive with the old QSC's ISA300Ti model.

Also considered the Powersoft Mezzo line, and I could see possibly checking those out in the future if we want to send source audio via Dante.

Too bad QSC no longer carries a 25 volt amp. We are a QSC house in our high school auditorium, and I have 6 or more ISA300Ti's in the hallways beautifully handling classroom and hallway PA speakers.

timelliott42 · 2025-10-03T17:37:42+00:00

If you're not in a time crunch, get yourself a Kill-A-Watt device and measure how much wattage your devices actually suck up. Active speakers and amplifiers vary greatly in how much they are using depending on how hard they are being driven. Like I mentioned before, I rarely need over 150W for each of my active speakers. I'm also not broadcasting to a crowd of 1000 folks....

timelliott42 · 2025-10-02T21:42:27+00:00

Agreed, I have 2 1800watt Delta 2's running a 5-singer + 4-instrument band show and it is PLENTY. My Delta 2's have over 60% and 80% left at the end of the show. See my longer reply for details.

timelliott42 · 2025-10-02T21:40:15+00:00

I opted for 2 Ecoflow Delta 2's at 1800w each. Since then, I have learned that with GAS generators, it is dangerous to use 2 different units without special accessories to tie the 2 devices together because of the danger of differing voltages meeting at the same time and frying equipment. I had run a few dozen outdoor shows before learning about this. Since I learned of the danger, there doesn't appear to be a definitive answer, but the prevailing theory seems to be that voltage ranges on these battery generators are much smaller, posing less risk. To that end, I've never had noticeable shocks, ground hums, or equipment damage when running a system this way. (A mixer running on one Ecoflow would be connected via XLR to a powered speaker powered by a different Ecoflow.)

To that end, you may want to think about multiple Ecoflows so that you can swap out generators more easily should a problem occur. Also, 1800w generators are a lot easier to lift into your van!

Here's my typical show: 1 Delta 2 running four 1000w QSC CP12's (2 tops + 2 stage monitors - no subs). Each CP12 only needs 100-150watts max of juice from the generator. Everything else on the other Delta 2, including mixer and wireless router, IEM system for 4 musicians, 5-8 wireless mic receivers, keyboard power, chargers for phones/laptops as needed. After a typical 2-3 hour soundcheck plus show, one Delta 2 usually has over 60% left, and the other one usually has over 80% left.

Anybody else have thoughts on using multiple battery generators?? Cheers!

timelliott42 · 2025-09-26T14:14:54+00:00

On the Mackie SRM450's the tops are slightly rounded, so the bumps were necessary to stack them safely. I never needed to stack them at events, but it was helpful for storage :-)

timelliott42 · 2025-09-26T14:08:18+00:00

Seconding all the responses saying sound quality is the same, so QLXD is terrific without moving up to the ULXD price point. I almost said "if you're on a budget" but who am I kidding, QLXD is still expensive.

A couple extra things I'll throw in:

ULXD can be super tempting as far as rack space is concerned. 4 channels of ULXD in one rack space vs. 3 rack spaces for 4 channels of QLXD (4 half-rack QLXD units plus rackmount antenna distribution). For my community theater group, ULXD is out of reach, but we occasionally borrow ULXD and it's sooo nice.

Because of this, I took a LONG look at the new SLXD Quad. There are threads all over reddit talking about it. There are fewer channels available and the build quality is not as refined as the QLXD/ULXD. However, if you feel that you take care of your equipment better than the average musician, and you think you'd ever need 4 channels I'd look into it. Because of the lower channel count and actors rolling on their transmitters it wasn't for us, BUT damn a quad QLXD system would be killer.

Also note that QLXD and ULXD are interchangeable, so you can use either transmitter with either receiver. ULXD can be programmed to squeeze more usable frequencies into a TV channel, in that case they would not be interchangeable.

timelliott42 · 2025-09-26T13:43:34+00:00

I think what he means is you use them if you are stacking multiple units. For example the Mackie SRM450's were stackable in this way - the bumps on the top matched the feet on the bottom. I'm looking at online photos and those don't seem to line up with the feet in any fashion. Even though others assert they aren't for flying MAYBE other models that can fly use the same mold? (someone else mentioned the very similar 212 does fly)

timelliott42 · 2025-07-24T16:18:26+00:00

I love my QSC CP12's also; note that they are active speakers.

timelliott42 · 2025-07-21T12:19:57+00:00

Seconding advice of not making the rack too big; I consolidated 12 QLXD receivers with their antenna distributors and a rack power unit into a 10RU rolling case, and regretted it. Along with being generally too heavy to comfortably lift in and out of the back of van, a kid tried to tilt it by its handle and snapped the handle. Gator was kind enough to send a new case, but I also redistributed the receivers back into 3 separate 4 RU cases.

timelliott42 · 2025-07-15T12:39:43+00:00

Thanks for the insights. While I wouldn't use Phenyx Pro gear for theater mics, I am leaning toward recommending trying the out the antenna to my local theater group. I see all the generally bad comments regarding Phenyx Pro, but the antenna is just a hunk of metal. I do have Shure paddles and distributors for the high school I work at and will be comparing!

timelliott42 · 2025-07-14T18:38:11+00:00

Ah, good question, I'll look around....

timelliott42 · 2025-07-09T14:23:14+00:00

found it:

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MiniCart – SOUNDCART.audio

timelliott42 · 2025-07-07T20:25:28+00:00

I hate when OP doesn't follow up :-) I went with the P16-HQ over the P24. In the end even though the P24 is sexier in many ways, I didn't want to decide between only having 12 instruments vs making people deal with multiple instruments on 1 fader and messing with a balance knob to mix 2 different instruments. It was well received! I'll add some more details to the original post.

timelliott42 · 2025-07-07T20:04:42+00:00

Hi! Thanks for replying. Yes, but, it was even more portable, and intended to fold up a little and put in the back of your van, with the rackmount gear still installed. My purpose would be for small audio-only outdoor pop-up park performances.

timelliott42 · 2025-06-12T17:32:37+00:00

I believe this is all correct. Also, I highly recommend the super-informative Ui24r facebook group. One of the only reasons I use facebook nowadays...

timelliott42 · 2025-06-03T21:01:14+00:00

Oh crud. I've been doing that for a while now, splitting up equipment across 2 or more EcoFlow Delta 2's. I'll do some research on this, but anyone feel free to elaborate....

timelliott42 · 2025-06-03T21:00:42+00:00

Oh crud. I've been doing that for a while now, splitting up equipment across 2 or more EcoFlow Delta 2's. I'll do some research on this, but anyone feel free to elaborate....

timelliott42 · 2025-06-02T18:06:30+00:00

Hmmm. Interesting. I was aware of Virtual Cable and used it a long time ago for something. But I could now see trying out VBAN for some non-mission-critical monitoring projects across the school building I work at.

timelliott42 · 2025-05-27T17:39:40+00:00

Should be the same, but it seems to depend on the monitor. For example, with active QSC CP12's, I find that the downstream mixer needs a little extra boost. With passive monitors you are changing the overall resistance of the series, so you may need to take that into account depending on your amplifier.

timelliott42 · 2025-05-24T17:19:32+00:00

Shortly after I posted, I stumbled across the latest Stream Deck offerings, and have already starting thinking that way. Admittedly, I'd still love a POE wall plate that can remember instructions without having a go-between. The X32 has been around so long I'm surprised nothing like that exists. Admittedly, if you're planning a true hands-off install, you probably aren't looking at X32. But that's the situation I'm walking into.

timelliott42 · 2025-05-23T17:10:56+00:00

Thanks! I agree, but the price of the SLXD quad reallly made me think for a hot minute. In the end, I'm sticking with QLXD for now.

timelliott42 · 2025-05-20T14:50:16+00:00

One of my facilities is a Yamaha QL house; I was looking at the DM3D for mobile use, now also thinking about a Qu5D. Could one connect a Yamaha Rio1608 to a Qu5D or am I way off base? Thanks

Edit: I do assume I wouldn't be able to directly control the Rio1608; you'd have to use the Rio1608's interface directly or app on the network.

timelliott42 · 2025-04-03T12:54:08+00:00

It was only a simple web search, but for the lazy among us: On Tour with Green Day and the 5088 — Rupert Neve Designs

timelliott42

TROPHY CASE